Coleman coaches think quick to help save man's life

A photo from the video showing the men running at the car in the pond.

Photo courtesy of Lou Ann Sauve

Photo courtesy of Lou Ann Sauve

COLEMAN, MI (WNEM) -

High school sports help teach values to children as they become adults. On Tuesday night, players of the Coleman junior varsity baseball and softball teams learned everyone is on the same team.

"I was sitting near the front of the bus and I looked up, and I saw the splash," explained Coleman JV baseball coach Tom Pashak.

In an instant, sports took the backseat Tuesday night. The baseball and softball teams were on their way to double-header games in McBain when a vehicle went off the road and started sinking into a pond. The coaches went into action, and their quick-thinking was all caught on tape.

"He said he couldn't get out, so we just jumped into the water," said Coleman JV softball coach Katherine Benchley.

"Our feet just immediately sunk. It was nothing but muck," said JV softball coach Keshia Acker.

Benchley and Acker followed Pashak into the pond. The car was sinking fast. The driver was dazed because he hit his head.

"And then it was hard to open his door because the water kept rising above his door, so we had to pry it open and grab his arm to get him out," said Acker.

"We just swam him in," said Benchley.

The coaches brought the man to safety. The players witnessed their coaches become heroes.

"Anytime somebody gets into a car accident, it isn't awesome, but it was interesting," said JV baseball player Brandon Cotton.

"It was pretty heroic, you know, I didn't think he would do it, but he did it, I guess," said JV baseball player Dylan Carbeno.

And on Tuesday night, many community members welcomed home the new heroes and commended them for doing what was right.

"You're not really thinking about it at the time. I mean, afterwards, you're thinking maybe they saw something that they'll remember, but at the time, it's just you're there, he's there, he needs help, so you go out there," said Pashak.

Tuesday the baseball and softball players learned sports is more than just a game. They documented it in pictures and videos they won't soon forget. They witnessed their coaches pitch a perfect game in the game of life.

After the heroic actions, the baseball and softball teams continued on to McBain. The coaches were still drenched from their time in the pond. Both the baseball and softball teams won both games of the double-header.

Airline employee Denice Miracle is credited with saving two teenage girls from a human trafficking plot. She said she first noticed something was wrong when the girls approached the check-in counter with their bags -- but no ID.

Airline employee Denice Miracle is credited with saving two teenage girls from a human trafficking plot. She said she first noticed something was wrong when the girls approached the check-in counter with their bags -- but no ID.

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